Henrik Lundqvist A Free Agent For The 1st Time In His Career, Rangers Buy Out Final Year Of His Deal

By Jordan Long

The New York Rangers have decided to move on from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.  The Rangers bought out the remaining year of his current deal.  He was scheduled to make $4.5 million next year and his cap hit was $8.5 million.

                Lundqvist has played in the NHL for 15 years, all with the New York Rangers.  Last year he started 30 games going 10-12-3.  The 10 wins were the worst of his career.   His goals against average was 3.16 with a save percentage of .905.  New York ended up in the qualifying round which was the best 3 out of 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Lundqvist started in 2 of the games but struggled with an 0-2 record with a goals against average of 3.52 and a save percentage of .901.  New York was swept in 3 games.

                Once the year ended, the Rangers took their time to decide what was best for the team moving forward.  They determined it was time to let go of Lundqvist.   According to ESPN, New York Rangers’ owner James Dolan said, “Few players have been as important to the Rangers franchise as Henrik Lundqvist, and we are incredibly grateful for all he has done for our organization. Over his 15-year tenure, he not only established himself as one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game, he has also been one of hockey’s fiercest competitors and most effective ambassadors. He will always be a part of the Rangers family.”

                Lundqvist leaves the Rangers with a regular season record of 459-310-96 with a goals against average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .918.  New York went to the playoffs 12 times with him.  The furthest they advanced was the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 but they lost to the L.A. Kings.

                After this move,  the Rangers still have two goaltenders on the roster, Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev.  Shesterkin is 24.  He was impressive in net with a record of 10-2 with a goals against average of 2.52 and a save percentage of .932.  Georgiev is also 24.  His record this year was 17-4-2 with a goals against average of 3.04 and a save percentage of .910.  The Rangers will use both of them next season.  They could also add a veteran goaltender in the offseason.  These may include Braden Holtby, Robin Lehner, or Matt Murray.

                Lundqvist is a free agent for the 1^st time in his career.  He proved he can still play the NHL game.  He isn’t a starter anymore.  A franchise could pick him up as a backup.   If nobody decides to sign him, it might be time for him to retire.